THE TEN – Fourth Commandment

As a child, on the way to somewhere in the family car, mom began a discussion about taking God’s name in vain. These “discussions” did not mean that my brother and I talked. We were to listen while mom talked. So I did. (My brother, not so much.)

Mom told her captive audience in the car that day that even saying “Jeeze”when frustrated or mad, was a short form of saying “Jesus” among other sayings that were offensive to the Name of God. She, with reason, would be coming unglued at the current, boldly overuse of OMG…meaning Oh, my God. Mom’s lesson? Don’t even come close to offending God this way.

So, there you go. A lesson, probably 50 years ago, given in the car, on the way to somewhere is still vivid in my memory. I never forgot it. 

Fourth Commandment
“Then God instructed the people as follows:

“….Do not miuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.” Exodus 20, NLT

Pretty simple. “Be wise in your speech”, says the apostle Paul. We are smart people. There are a lot of other words to express ourselves than using God name in the mix, even when we are excited. God and His Name are to praised, feared even, out of respect for Him. 

I was quickly picking up a few things from Stuffmart yesterday when in the next aisle, a couple of young kids were ripping off language that was so abusive it scared me, as well as offended me…for them. How much more so, it offends the God, our Father, we say we love. Yikes!

The world says, “free speech, let it rip”. God commands, not when it comes to My Name! Ever.

Dear Heavenly Father,
BLESSED BE YOUR NAME! Yes, blessed be the Name of the LORD!
In JESUS NAME, Amen.